Specialist Green Innovation

About Us

Karandaaz (KRN) believes that every Pakistani deserves to be Financially Included and Economically Empowered. Our mission at Karandaaz is to foster economic growth and create jobs through financial inclusion of unbanked individuals and unserved enterprises.

Karandaaz Pakistan is a not-for-profit organization, based out of Islamabad, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan under Section 42 of the Companies Act 2017. We are supported by Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). Karandaaz is governed by an eminent board who set the strategy of the organization and steer it towards achievement of its objectives.

Karandaaz Innovation Investments through its programmatic interventions, Innovation Challenge Fund (ICF), Women Ventures (WV), and Green Challenge Fund (GCF) aims to address gaps in the financial architecture to improve access to finance and support commercially viable business ideas in high impact areas.

Karandaaz Green Challenge Fund (GCF) supports Greentech, SMEs, Not-for-Profits and other formal entities in testing and scaling up innovative solutions to the climate change issues in Pakistan. The GCF portfolio includes solutions on plastic waste management, efficient water management, and air quality. While Karandaaz provides critical finance to ideas that do not get traction from traditional market sources, all its investments are guided by principles of commercial viability and sustainability in order to demonstrate a successful funding model in the green and climate change space.

Position Summary

The Specialist Green Innovation will be responsible for managing and expanding the GCF portfolio. The role includes a combination of strategy, policy, operations management, and monitoring responsibilities.

The Green Innovation portfolio currently includes 09 projects (02 grant, and 07 debt). The grant projects are directly implemented by Karandaaz, whereas debt projects are implemented in partnership with Parwaaz Financial Services Limited (PFSL) – a subsidiary of Karandaaz.

Job Responsibilities

The core functions and responsibilities include the following:

Portfolio Development & Management (75%)

• Develop the deal pipeline for the Green Innovation portfolio, explore the market to identify innovation and interventions that are aligned with Karandaaz ambition and direction in the green and climate change space.
• Support the Green Investment Panel (IP) in selection of businesses. This involves initial due diligence of businesses, develop and review Business Growth Plans, and provide business growth analysis to the IP.
• Negotiate the term sheets and contracts with selected awardees and manage the financing agreement with the businesses.
• Oversee the post-investment monitoring process, manage relationship with investee companies and provide feedback to senior management on performance, associated risks, and repayment behavior of the portfolio.
• Engage with and manage service providers (business development support, legal counsel, and other technical assistance) for efficient programme delivery and high-quality support to Green portfolio businesses.
• Achieve targets agreed in the project financing agreements and the results commitment with KRN sponsors and Board.
• Conduct financial analysis of the Green portfolio for periodic reporting to the CEO and KRN Board. Tracking financial and operational performance of each business, provide technical assistance to strengthen business performance and institutional development of Green businesses.
• Support the development and strengthening of the Green Innovation Strategy and the Investment policy.
• Use evidence and learning from the KRN Green portfolio and international best practices/experience in the strategy and policy development.
• Coordinate with Karandaaz Research, Marketing and Communications (RMC) function to develop and supervise the branding and marketing of the programme, including marketing campaigns to develop the deal pipeline and increase outreach.
• Coordinate with Karandaaz Corporate Investment & Credit (CIC) function or exchange of ideas, pipeline development, and development of the Karandaaz Green Portfolio.
• Support Karandaaz qualification and application process for the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Overall Programme Support (25%)

• Ensure a strong emphasis on due diligence, value for money, and transparency within Green Innovation activities.
• Work with the MEL team to ensure that development objectives of Innovation are measurable and reported at all stages.
• Develop annual and quarterly work plans, budget forecasts and updates and updating risk frameworks for review by Head Innovation.
• Manage internal and external audit processes as required under supervision of Head Innovation
• Any other task necessary to ensure the optimum performance of the Innovation team

Eligibility

A preferred candidate will need to have:

Education & Experience

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management, Business, Economics, Finance or related field of study with an understanding of project management and subject relevant research.
• Minimum 06 years of relevant experience in SME investment management or the credit/portfolio management/programme or environmental/climate change projects.
• Experience in the financial sector, particularly in green investments, will be an added advantage.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated experience of client management, portfolio management, working independently, strategic thinking and managing a diverse project portfolio on green and climate change issues.
• Strong knowledge of national and international developments in the green and climate change space, and the ability to translate these into viable expansion opportunities for Karandaaz.
• Knowledge of financial inclusion and impact investing
• Understanding of the corporate governance/regulatory requirements of the SMEs
• Sound financial analysis/forecasting skills, and knowledge of funding instruments to support climate change interventions.
• Strong analytical skills in terms of research, sectoral analysis and programme design.
• Excellent English writing and presentation skills
• Highly organized, self-driven with demonstrated project and time management skills.
• Ability to interface with and effectively manage stakeholders at multiple levels
• Ability to work to multiple and tight deadlines with a commitment to quality, accuracy and attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel to different locations in Pakistan, as required.

Culture and Values at Karandaaz

Karandaaz Culture is guided by our values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Equity (ICARE). These values shape our choices on what we do and how we do it, both with colleagues internally and partners externally. We also believe that we are all responsible for creating a great place to work and are constantly looking to hire individuals who bring the same level of passion and commitment to the purpose of the organization.

If you believe in the Karandaaz vision and values and feel excited about the work we are offering, please send us your application for this position at careers@karandaaz.com.pk clearly mentioning the position title in the subject line.

Karandaaz is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications by all population groups